Internet industry seen as winner at global conference in Brazil

SAO PAULO, April 24 (Reuters) - Big Internet companies were
the clear winners at a global conference hosted by Brazil on the
future management of the Web where most participants agreed it
should remain a self-regulated space free of government
intervention.

Convened by President Dilma Rousseff after revelations of
U.S. surveillance undermined trust in the Internet, the
NETmundial conference concluded that governments, companies,
academics, technicians and users should all have a say in where
to go next.

That is exactly what companies such as Google or
Facebook say is essential to spur innovation, expand the
boundaries of the Internet and keep their businesses growing.

"Our focus is on making sure the Net stays free and open,"
said Ross LaJeunesse, Google's head of international relations.

"The meeting was generally very good because it recognized
the power of the multistakeholder approach and talked about
human rights and the importance of innovation," he said in an
interview on the sidelines of the event.

Companies had voiced concern about governments using the
NETmundial meeting to push for regulation and interference that
could inhibit investment and ultimately harm Internet users.

NETmundial called for less a U.S.-centric Internet, but it
steered clear of granting governments greater control over the
net, as Russia and China were pushing for.

"There was a lot of anxiety going into this meeting by all
of the groups," said David Gross, a lawyer representing a
coalition of companies including Amazon.com Inc,
Microsoft Corp and Telefónica SA.
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